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Forum Name: Cardiology Symptoms

Question: Fluttering, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, high bloo

jcoulter22 - Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:57 pm

I AM GLAD I HAVE FOUND THIS WEBSITE I HAVE HAD ALOT OF SIMLAR SYMPTONS MY SYMPTONS STARTED IN NOV 2004 IT IS LIKE IT JUST FELL OUT OF THE SKY AND EVER SINCE THAT DAY MY LIFE HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME I HAVE A WIFE AND A 2 YEAR OLD SON THAT don't KNOW ME ANYMORE I HAVE GOOD WEEKS AND BAD WEEKS MY SYMPTONS CONSISTS OF FLUTTERING,Rapid heart BEAT, SHROTNESS OF BREATH, AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, MY ANKLES ALSO WAS SWALLON THIS MORNING FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, AND I ALSO FEEL MY HEART BEAT IN MY NECK VERY STRONG SOMETIMES, I HAVE BEEN ON WORKERS COMP SINCE OCT 2004 AND HAVE NOT BEEN ACTIVE SINCE THEN I ALSO DRINK ALOT OF CAFFINE AND SMOKE ULTRA LIGHT CIGS, I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS ANIXETY THATS WAY I HAVE NOT SEEN A DOCTOR ABOUT IT BUT I AM GOING THIS WEEK I CAN NOT TAKE IT ANY MORE IT IS RUINING MY LIFE AND MY WIFE CAN NOT TAKE IT ANY MORE SHE IS GOING CRAZY, THE WORST TIME FOR ME IS WHEN I HAVE JUST LYIED DOWN FOR BED AND I AM TRYING TO FALL ASLEEP MY MIND GOES CRAZEY AND MY HEART STARTS BEATING REAL HARD I BASICALY HAVE A Panic attack, AND THAT MAKES FOR REALLY LONG NIGHTS, ON 03/11/05 AT DINNER TIME MY HEART STARTED DOING FUNNY THINGS THAT I HAVE NEVER FELT BEFORE IT IS HARD TO DESCRIBE IT IS LIKE WHEN YOU HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR AREAL LONG TIME THEN LET IT OUT AND YOUR HEART BEATS REAL HARD FOR ABEAT OR TWO IT IS REALLY CRAZY BUT SCARY AND LAST NIGHT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE THE BIG ONE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE MY HEART WAS SO OUT OF RYTHM AND I WAS SO SCARED BUT I WAITED AND CALMED MY SELF DOWN IT JUST SEEMED LIKE IT TOOK FOREVER TO GET MY BREAHTING BACK TO NORMAL I REALLY NEED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR

Dr. Yasser Mokhtar - Thu Mar 24, 2005 3:35 am

Dear jcoulter22, Palpitations is the sensation of feeling your heart beats. Normally we do not feel our hearts beating because they beat in a regular fashion (rhythm and rate) and we are accustomed to the strength of the beat so it does not disturb us. If there is a change in the strength or any irregularity of the heart rhythm or change in the heart rate (whether racing or slowing), then we will start feeling our heart beating. Palpitations can be caused by: 1. An overactive thyroid gland. 2. Electrolytes disturbance. 3. Mitral valve prolapse. 4. Smoking. 5. Drinking alcohol. 6. Drinking too much caffeinated beverages. 7. Not getting enough sleep. 8. Stress. I suggest that you have an electrocardiogram (electrical drawing of the heart) to see whether or not the palpitations will appear on it. If not then a 24 hours heart monitor is not a bad idea to try and record the palpitations that you have and know which type it is to be able to give you the correct treatment. I suggest a blood test for thyroid gland and electrolytes. To have an Echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart) to rule out the presence of Mitral valve prolapse. Mitral valve prolapse is a heart condition found in otherwise healthy young adults who usually complain of palpitations and atypical Chest pain. It only needs to be followed. You have to stop smoking and drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages if you are. You have to try and have enough sleep and rest. These measures help a lot with the symptoms. Keep us posted on how your appointment with your doctor turns out. Thank you very much for using our website http://doctorslounge. com and I hope that this information helped. Yasser Mokhtar, M. D.

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